LOCAL industry body OneSafe Group has been announced as a finalist in the 2017 national Forest Industry Innovation Awards.
The collaboration between forest owner OneFortyOne Plantations and harvesting, haulage and log marshalling contractors has been recognised for its innovation in maintaining workplace safety standards.
The group was formed in 2016 by OneFortyOne, Harvestco, Scheidl, KC and MR Boult, Tabeel Trading, Moreland Holdings, Fennell Forestry and ISO.
To prompt a major shift in industry safety culture, the group developed a combined safety strategy focusing on three areas of fatality prevention, injury prevention and organisational culture change.
The group made some immediate improvement around fatality prevention through the implementation of updated traffic management signage in forests.
Following a spate of incidents involving members of the public accessing active harvesting sites, the group wanted to ensure harvesting contractors had greater control to prevent unauthorised access.
Each individual company works towards the implementation of the strategy independently and collaboratively, with progress monitored through monthly meetings and verified through six-monthly peer-on-peer audits
Staff document and share “five reasons why” they go home safely each night with work colleagues which has helped encourage personal safety engagement.
Significant improvement in incident investigations has occurred through formal incident investigation training to all members and their key staff.
Australian Forest Products Association chief executive Ross Hampton said he was delighted with the quality of nominations received for the awards, which will be presented at the industry’s gala dinner in Canberra on September 12.
“I extend my congratulations to the six outstanding finalists of the three categories,” Mr Hampton said.
“Finalists include Hume Forests and the OneSafe Group for their contributions to innovation in safety, SFM Hydrowood and AKD Softwoods for their achievements in innovation in business and
Timber Communities Australia and the Timber and Building Materials Association for their work in innovation in training.
“We want to reward our industries for striving to be the very best they can in areas of business, safety and training.”
Mr Hampton said embracing new technologies, safety practices and training in a modern environment was paramount.
“Our people and companies are working in the most sustainable of businesses dealing with totally renewable and biodegradable resources,” he said.
“Our forest product industries are incredibly modern and innovative – on a global scale, they are leading the way in adapting leading-edge technology to ensure sustainability and competitiveness.
“As an industry at the forefront of innovation, it is fitting we would want to recognise and celebrate these leaders at the biennial industry gala dinner which attracts about 500 industry representatives and many members of parliament.”
The Forest Industry Gala Dinner will be held at the Australian Parliament House Great Hall.
